In the court of Rum (the Roman Empire) it was customary for a princess to select her husband from among the assembled nobles. Katayun chose Gushtasp, whom she had seen in a dream. Her father Caesar was dismayed, not realizing that Gushtasp was actually a Persian prince since he was traveling incognito. At the right a wise counselor, identifiable by his turban, reassures Caesar but the scene is dominated by the charmingly posed princess telling her happy news to a lady-in-waiting as a doorkeeper eavesdrops.